TEAM: The Fitness First Active Recovery Centre is open for business and was christened by the Australian men’s hockey team Saturday.

Hosted in the John F Kennedy School in Stratford, the Centre has a variety of sections from active recovery, massage, and hydrotherapy, aimed at giving Australian athletes the best possible chance to recover between events.

Dr Shona Halson, the Recovery Centre director, and the Australian Institute of Sports Head of Recovery, said her team of medical professionals is in for a busy time over the next three weeks.

“The entire team is welcome at any time to come in and get treated and ensure their body is in the best possible shape,” Dr Halson said. “The Active Recovery Centre gives athletes a one-stop shop for all of their recovery needs from hydrotherapy, active recovery, massage and psychology services.

“Each athlete will spend around 90 minutes at the centre at any time, they’ll normally start with some time on the bike before heading into the pool and ice baths before they finish with a massage.”

Nothing has been left to chance in the hydrotherapy area, with strict temperature controls in place – the warm down pool at 34 degrees and the cold pool at a teeth-chattering 15 degrees.

Kookaburras Captain Jamie Dwyer was raving about the facilities after he was one of the first athletes to go through the centre.

“Recovery is very important and is one thing that Australia is the best in the world at,” Dwyer said.

“It is important for all athletes but it plays a huge part in our performance especially because we play seven games in 13 days.”

Damian Kelly and David Mason
Olympics.com.au